Page 9 of Swipe Right on the Alpha (Fur Real Love #1)

Dylan’s SUV was idling outside Aiden’s building at precisely the agreed time.

As Aiden slid into the passenger seat, he was greeted with a kiss that started gentle but quickly deepened, Dylan’s hand coming up to cradle the back of his neck in that possessive way that never failed to send heat through Aiden’s body.

“Missed you,” Dylan murmured when they finally separated.

“It’s been three days,” Aiden laughed, though he’d felt the absence just as keenly.

“Too long,” Dylan said simply, pulling back into traffic. “Nervous about tonight?”

“Should I be?” Aiden asked, studying Dylan’s profile. “You’re being weirdly cryptic about your friends.”

Dylan’s hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel. “They’re… intense. Especially Theo. They’re excited to meet you.”

“Because I’m an influencer?” It was a concern Aiden couldn’t quite shake—that Dylan’s friends would see him as a curiosity or content creator rather than a person.

“Because you’re important to me,” Dylan corrected, reaching over to squeeze Aiden’s knee. “They can tell.”

“Tell what?”

Dylan’s eyes remained fixed on the road. “How I feel about you.”

The simple statement hung between them, charged with unspoken meaning. They hadn’t put labels on what was developing between them, though their connection had intensified with each meeting. Aiden found himself reaching for Dylan’s hand, interlacing their fingers in silent acknowledgment.

The drive took them to a sprawling property on the outskirts of the city—not as remote as Dylan’s cabin but definitely private, with several acres of wooded land surrounding a large, modern home. Three other vehicles were already parked in the circular drive.

“Whose place is this?” Aiden asked as they approached the front door.

“Technically mine,” Dylan said, looking slightly embarrassed. “Family property. I prefer the cabin, but this is better for gatherings.”

Before Aiden could process this new information about Dylan’s apparently significant real estate holdings, the door swung open to reveal a man about Dylan’s age with an easy grin and the same outdoorsy build, though leaner and slightly shorter.

“The famous Aiden Reynolds,” the man said, his grin widening as he looked between them. “About time our alpha brought you around.”

Dylan made a warning sound low in his throat that Aiden might have imagined. “Aiden, this is Theo. My oldest friend and biggest pain in my ass.”

“Alpha?” Aiden questioned, shaking Theo’s offered hand.

“Figure of speech,” Theo said smoothly, though his eyes danced with amusement. “Dylan’s always been our fearless leader. Come in, everyone’s dying to meet you.”

The interior of the house was impressive—open concept with high ceilings, modern furnishings mixed with natural elements, and massive windows overlooking the property. A group of people were gathered in the great room, conversation pausing as Aiden and Dylan entered.

“Everyone, this is Aiden,” Dylan announced, his hand resting possessively at the small of Aiden’s back. “Aiden, meet the pa—the crew.”

Introductions came quickly: Elena and her partner Sofia, a striking couple who moved with unusual grace; Marcus, a mountain of a man with friendly eyes who squeezed Aiden’s hand just firmly enough to make a point; Liam, younger than the others with an easy smile; and Nora, whose sharp gaze seemed to assess Aiden with unnerving thoroughness.

“We’ve heard so much about you,” Elena said, her accent hinting at Eastern European origins.

“All good things, I hope,” Aiden replied with his practiced social smile.

“Mostly how you smell,” Theo called from where he was arranging drinks, earning another warning look from Dylan.

“How I… smell?” Aiden repeated, confused.

“He means your cologne,” Dylan said quickly. “I mentioned liking it.”

The group exchanged glances that Aiden couldn’t interpret, an undercurrent of communication happening beneath the surface. He’d experienced similar moments with Dylan—references or jokes that seemed to have double meanings, terminology that felt significant in ways he didn’t understand.

“Drinks!” Theo announced, saving the moment from awkwardness. “Aiden, what’s your poison?”

The gathering relaxed as alcohol flowed and conversations broke into smaller groups.

Aiden found himself surprisingly comfortable despite being the newcomer.

Dylan’s friends were welcoming if slightly odd—they all seemed to have inside jokes about the moon, referred to people as having different “scents,” and occasionally used terms like “territory” and “pack” in contexts that didn’t quite make sense.

Theo appointed himself Aiden’s personal guide, pulling him aside while Dylan was deep in conversation with Marcus about something involving property boundaries.

“So, influencer man,” Theo said, refilling Aiden’s glass with expensive whiskey. “How are you finding our Dylan? Still think he’s just an outdoorsy weirdo?”

Aiden nearly choked on his drink. “He told you about that?”

Theo’s laugh was genuine. “He tells us everything. Well, almost everything. Some details he keeps private, thank god.”

“He’s… not what I expected when I downloaded that app,” Aiden admitted. “In the best possible way.”

“LunaLove has a knack for matching the right people,” Theo said with a strange emphasis. “Even when one of them doesn’t fully understand what they’re signing up for.”

Before Aiden could question the cryptic statement, Theo changed subjects. “So what’s the deal with your job? Dylan explained it, but he’s technologically challenged. You record your life and people… pay you for it?”

“Oversimplified, but essentially,” Aiden said, grateful for the familiar topic. “I share dating stories, lifestyle content, sponsored products. I built an audience that companies want to reach.”

“And Dylan? Is he content too?” Theo’s casual tone didn’t quite mask the importance of the question.

Aiden considered carefully before answering. “He’s part of my life, so he’s mentioned. But not in detail. Some things are private.”

Theo studied him with unexpected seriousness. “Good answer. He’s protective of his privacy. Has to be, given… everything.”

“Given what?” Aiden pressed, sensing an opening.

Theo’s expression shifted to something more guarded. “His position. Responsibilities. Family expectations.”

It was another non-answer in a growing collection. Before Aiden could push further, Dylan appeared at his side, hand immediately finding its place at the small of Aiden’s back in what was becoming a familiar gesture.

“Everything okay here?” Dylan asked, his tone light but eyes watchful.

“Just getting to know your boy,” Theo said, winking at Aiden. “He’s smarter than he looks.”

“Thanks?” Aiden laughed, leaning slightly into Dylan’s touch.

“Food’s ready,” Dylan said, steering Aiden toward the expansive back deck where a massive grill was producing mouthwatering aromas.

The meal was impressive—steaks cooked to perfection (most surprisingly rare), an array of sides, and flowing conversation that grew more animated with each round of drinks.

Aiden noticed that Dylan’s friends ate with surprising gusto, especially the men, who consumed portions that would challenge competitive eaters.

As the evening progressed, Aiden observed more peculiarities: the way the group seemed hyperaware of each other’s positions, how they occasionally tilted their heads as though listening to sounds Aiden couldn’t hear, and most notably, how they all deferred to Dylan in subtle ways—waiting for him to eat first, seeking his opinion before making decisions, positioning themselves around him in what almost seemed like a protective formation.

After dinner, as twilight settled over the property, someone suggested moving to the fire pit in the expansive backyard. Comfortable seating surrounded a large stone pit where Marcus was building an impressive blaze.

“So, Aiden,” Nora said as they settled around the crackling fire, “has Dylan taken you running yet?”

Dylan tensed beside him. “Not everyone enjoys trail running, Nora.”

“I’m more of a yoga and occasional gym person,” Aiden admitted. “Though Dylan’s trying to convert me to the ‘joys of nature.’”

“You should join us sometime,” Liam suggested with enthusiasm. “Our monthly runs are legendary.”

“Monthly?” Aiden repeated, a pattern clicking into place. “Let me guess—during the full moon?”

A strange silence fell over the group, broken only by the crackling fire. Dylan’s body had gone rigid beside him, while Theo seemed to be suppressing laughter.

“It’s tradition,” Elena finally said, her tone carefully neutral. “The full moon provides natural light for night running.”

“Very practical,” Aiden said slowly, looking between their faces. “Though it seems like there’s more to it than that.”

Dylan cleared his throat. “More drinks? I think we need more drinks.”

As Dylan escaped to the house, Theo slid into the vacant seat beside Aiden. “So observant,” he murmured, too low for the others to hear. “Has he told you anything about his… monthly activities?”

“Just ‘family obligations,’” Aiden replied, equally quiet. “What am I missing here? Some kind of pagan ritual? Secret society? Because the full moon thing is definitely a pattern.”

Theo’s smile was enigmatic. “Not my secret to tell. But keep paying attention—you’re closer than you think.”

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of drinks, stories, and increasing comfort.

Dylan’s friends seemed to be evaluating Aiden, but he got the sense he was passing whatever unspoken test they were administering.

By the time they were saying goodbyes, Elena was extracting a promise for Aiden to join them for dinner again soon, while Theo hugged him with surprising strength and whispered, “He’s happier with you than I’ve seen him in years. ”

In the car heading back to the city, Aiden found himself processing the evening. “Your friends are… interesting.”

Dylan glanced over, expression wary. “Too much?”

“No, just… there’s something you’re all not saying.

Like you have this shared understanding I’m not part of.

” Aiden turned in his seat to face Dylan fully.

“What’s with the full moon fixation? And why does Theo keep calling you ‘alpha’?

And don’t say it’s just a nickname, because everyone treats you like you’re in charge. ”

Dylan’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “It’s complicated.”

“Try me,” Aiden challenged. “Because I’m starting to come up with some pretty wild theories here.”

A ghost of a smile touched Dylan’s lips. “Like what?”

“Well, given the full moon obsession, the pack terminology, the territorial behavior, and the way you all can apparently hear and smell things normal people can’t…” Aiden paused for dramatic effect. “I’m thinking either cult or werewolves.”

Dylan’s laugh sounded slightly strained. “Werewolves? Seriously?”

“It would explain your growling during sex,” Aiden teased, though part of him was watching Dylan’s reaction very carefully.

“Maybe I just really enjoy sex with you,” Dylan countered, reaching over to place a hand on Aiden’s thigh. “Speaking of which, your place or mine tonight?”

The obvious deflection wasn’t lost on Aiden, but the heat of Dylan’s palm against his leg was distracting enough that he decided to table the interrogation… temporarily.

“Mine is closer,” he said, covering Dylan’s hand with his own. “And I believe you mentioned something about making up for three days apart?”

Dylan’s smile turned predatory in a way that sent pleasant shivers down Aiden’s spine. “I did. And I intend to be very thorough.”